Truck Driver Drug Use

24 Mar 16

posted by
Arnold & Itkin

In spite of regulations that mandate truck driver shift hours, many commercial
vehicle operators are placed under tremendous pressure to exceed these
federally mandated shift limits in order to minimize shipping delays and
to maximize operators' profits. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
(FMCSA) has established numerous rules designed to prevent driver fatigue
and other hazards on the road. But that doesn’t mean that truck
companies don’t have their own deadlines to meet. In order to meet
these demands, some truck drivers make the choice to resort to drug use
in order to stay awake and alert for those long hours spent on the road.

Amphetamines Are the Most Common Drugs Used by Truckers

The most common type of drug used by truck drivers to stay awake is some
form of stimulant. This includes amphetamines; Adderall and Dexedrine
are common examples. The reason for using amphetamines is that these medications
induce temporary improvements in mental and physical alertness.

Some signs suggest that these drugs are disturbingly accessible and widespread
in use among truck drivers. In fact, a survey conducted by the Center
for Substance Abuse Prevention revealed that 17 out of every 20 truck
drivers interviewed found it very easy to obtain methamphetamines at truck
stops across the country.

Data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) confirms these troubling
reports. Surveys and roadside testing have revealed that one in five truck
drivers use stimulants on at least some portion of their long-haul trips
in order to stay awake. Unfortunately, these drugs can also cause serious
psychological side effects, many of which can impair a driver's ability
to function safely on the road.

What’s the Problem with Amphetamines?

Common side effects of stimulant abuse include:

Hyperactivity

Restlessness

Blurred vision

Dizziness

Anxiety

Irritability

Aggression

Paranoia

Hallucinations

Delusions

Psychosis, with high enough doses

Any one of these side effects could clearly impair a driver's ability
to safely operate a large commercial vehicle, particularly when he or
she is sharing the road with other drivers.

Know When to Speak with a Truck Accident Attorney

If you were involved in a traffic accident where a truck driver was driving
erratically or displayed irrational behavior, drug abuse may have played
a contributing role in the crash. Fortunately, certain drugs and narcotics
can still be detected in the blood or urine for an extended period after
the original use of the substance. This means that there are ways to ascertain
what happened in your case.

In truck accident cases where drug use was involved, you may not immediately
suspect narcotic abuse as a contributing factor. If, however, an experienced
accident attorney is consulted shortly after a crash, he or she can immediately
request drug tests for the commercial driver involved in the incident.
With drugs like amphetamines, usage can be detected for three days after
the last usage and, on occasion, for several days past that window.

Schedule a Free Consultation with the Legal Team at Arnold & Itkin

If a truck driver's drug use resulted in your road accident, and you
sustained injuries in the crash, you may be entitled to compensation.
Time is of the essence, however, especially in claims where drug use is
a suspected cause. For this reason, the attorneys at Arnold & Itkin
strongly recommend speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible after being
involved in an accident with a truck, so they can gather evidence on your
case immediately.

Our firm has extensive experience in these types of cases. Over the years,
we have advocated successfully for individuals involved in serious truck
accidents. Our truck attorneys work with clients nationwide. Contact our
office today—we will be happy to offer you a
free consultation to help you determine your legal options.

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